Ante Zizic in Boston to begin practicing with Celtics
Celtics 2016 draft pick Ante Zizic has arrived in Boston and will join the team for its first summer league practice this week, according to the team’s director of player personnel, Austin Ainge.
Ainge said Zizic got to Boston Sunday. On Monday the 6-foot-11-inch center completed a workout at the team’s Waltham training facility.
“I took him downtown last night a little bit,’’ Ainge said. “He’s just doing things like getting workouts in, getting medical stuff, physicals done, all that type of stuff. He’s ready for summer league.’’
The Celtics selected Zizic with the 23rd overall pick of the 2016 draft. He spent this past season playing for the Turkish club Darussafaka Dogus in the high-level Euroleague. He shot 64.9 percent from the field and averaged 9 points and 6.7 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game for a team that was guided by former Cavaliers coach David Blatt.
The Celtics ranked 27th in the NBA in rebounding percentage last season, and they are hoping that Zizic, 20, can help shore up that weakness.
“Same as for all of our young guys, we’re excited to have him, learn our stuff, and get a head start on the season,’’ Ainge said. “He’s really excited to be here.’’
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Getting defensive
On Monday, the NBA unveiled its two all-defensive teams. There were plenty of expected names on the lists, including Golden State’s Draymond Green, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, and Utah’s Rudy Gobert.
But one omission sparked quite a bit of outrage among current and former NBA players. Celtics guard Avery Bradley, a first-team choice a year ago, was not a first- or second-team pick this year. He finished with 46 total points in the voting, fifth among guards and 10th overall. Just four guards are honored.
Bradley’s absence was likely due in part to the fact that he missed 27 games because of injury. But Monday, an outpouring of support on Twitter came from all corners.
“How the hell is Avery Bradley not on the all defensive team?’’ Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas asked. “That’s crazy!!’’
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Suns guard Devin Booker famously torched the Celtics for 70 points at TD Garden last season. After that game, he acknowledged that he was looking for his shot more because he knew Bradley was sidelined with an injury.
“No Avery Bradley all-defense?!’’ Booker posted on Twitter. “He deserves it!’’
Bradley is known as a tenacious on-ball defender. His peers are well aware of his skills, but they also respect him for the way he approaches his craft.
Bradley, 26, is not an in-your-face trash-talker, as some other elite defenders tend to be. He does not gloat.
On Monday, the list of players voicing their support for Bradley also included 76ers big man Joel Embiid, Trail Blazers teammates Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, Suns forward and former Boston College star Jared Dudley, and many others.
Ultimately, though, the all-defensive teams are selected by a panel of 100 media members.
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